The first of two spring game-filled Saturdays come this weekend, with the highlights coming in the Midwest and Southeast. Here’s a look at what to watch as some of the nation’s top programs wrap up:

--Alabama: Phillip Sims hopes to extend his promising spring one more scrimmage. A big day would draw him closer to assumed starter A.J. McCarron entering the fall. Spring showed the Tide have weapons elsewhere, led by back Trent Richardson and receivers Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze.

--Notre Dame: Four quarterbacks figure to split time under the Golden Dome on Saturday. The key guy is speedy early enrollee Everett Golson, a near-lock to see time as a Wildcat QB this fall. “He gives our offense a whole new dimension,” safety Harrison Smith said.

--Miami: Al Golden’s first spring game in orange and green will provide another referendum on quarterbacks Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris. (See a spring-game trend developing here?). It’s Harris’ last hurrah, which puts more pressure on him to excel.

--Penn State: Instead of checking out quarterbacks Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden, focus on the folks blocking for them. Without a more cohesive offensive line, the Nittany Lions can forget about winning the Big Ten’s first Leaders Division title. “Every practice,” center Matt Stankiewitch said, “is a day of progress.”

--Auburn: Clint Moseley and Barrett Trotter appeared to have battled to a spring draw, and Saturday shouldn’t change that. So watch the developing receivers—Emory Blake, Trovon Reed, DeAngelo Benton and Quindarius Carr give the Tigers more big-play threats outside than last year.

--Michigan: A revamped 4-3 defense has Wolverines fans feeling their most optimistic since Rich Rodriguez’s debut spring. Looking good Saturday against Denard Robinson, even in this controlled environment, will win over even more fans.

--Oklahoma State: The offense’s greatness is a given, so the defense’s performance will be key Saturday. More stops and forced turnovers this year, especially from a veteran defensive backfield, could deliver the Cowboys’ first BCS bowl bid. “There’s a little added pressure on the secondary to carry to load,” safety Markelle Martin said.

--Pittsburgh: A whirlwind spring ends with a high-profile display of the Panthers’ new offense. Coach Todd Graham’s spread will feature zone reads, no huddles, and quarterback Tino Sunseri in the shotgun. “We know what we want to run,” running back Ray Graham said. “And sometimes, the defense isn’t even ready for it.”

--Mississippi: The unexpected departure of quarterback Nathan Stanley leaves the Rebels’ quarterback derby as a three-way duel. Randall Mackey looks like the lead, but Zack Stoudt and West Virginia transfer Barry Brunetti will get significant snaps in Saturday’s Grove Bowl. “None of them has jumped up there and said, ‘I’m the guy, look out,’ ” first-year Ole Miss offensive coordinator David Lee told The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger.

--Florida State: Here’s one for the big boys. JUCO offensive lineman Jacob Fahrenkrug looks to close spring with a stronger grasp on a starting spot. Defensive ends Bjorn Werner and Tank Carradine should thrill fans, too, and set up to be the ACC Atlantic Division’s top pass rushers.

--Oklahoma: Saturday should provide a peek at how the Sooners’ defensive ends and safeties developed over the spring. But the biggest challenge for OU will be making sure nobody gets hurt.

--Texas A&M: Keep improving, Ryan Tannehill. The Aggies’ starting quarterback could use a decent day in his first high-profile appearance since a shaky Cotton Bowl against LSU.

--Northwestern: The Wildcats need a stingier defense to hang in a deeper, tougher Big Ten. Getting steamrolled Saturday by a Dan Persa-less offense would provide a bad omen for the fall.

--Utah: No Jordan Wynn at quarterback in this one. But there’s significance, with Utes coaches continuing to search for the quality depth, they’ll need to excel in the Pac-12 as they did in the Mountain West.